In her loose nightgown, a barefooted girl stood upon the grandest staircase throughout the dukedom and looked around the hall with the most innocent eyes. "Nasa'n na 'yon?" she whispered to herself, about her nanny, whom she had been chasing a while ago.

"Good morning, my lady-"

Hindi na niya napagtuunan ng pansin ang katulong, na babati sana sa kaniya nang makatagpo siya sa hagdanan, dahil nakita na niya sa ibaba ang naglalakad palayong ginang na kanina niya pa hinahanap. She couldn't help but run down the stairs, not minding the people around her bowing their heads.

"Nanny!" She waved her doll while she was running toward the woman. "Antay!"

"Aba'y humabol ka talaga," natatawang ani ginang. "Mangungulit ka na naman ba at nagingiti ka, hm?"

She made her smile disappear instantly, and the woman laughed at the expression. "Hindi po ako ngumingiti. Tanungin niyo pa si Lily," biro niya.

The nanny's expression changed while staring at the doll. Kunot-noong ibinalik nito ang tingin sa kaniya. The woman sighed upon seeing her brows arch. She tucked the girl's hair behind the ear. "Young lady," she called. "Ilang taon ka na ulit?" Inakbayan niya ang dalagita at isinabay sa paglalakad.

"Seventeen, nanny," she replied.

"And you still have that doll with you?"

"Nanny naman!" she exclaimed, to which the woman laughed heartily.

"I was just asking."

"Alam ko na isusunod niyo. Na dalaga na ako, dapat wala na 'to." She sighed. "Eh, nanny, alam niyo naman nang espesyal ito sa'kin. Tsaka kaya nga ako magpapaturo ng pagtatahi sa 'nyo 'di ba? Para mabaling 'yong pansin ko sa ibang mga bagay. Nakakasawa po kayang walang ginagawa rito. Iniiwanan niyo pa ako ni Mom."

"May ginagawa ka, Lady Lara," the nanny argued while they continued walking. "Ang magdaldal-"

"Eh, wala na nga po akong kadaldalan rito. Lagi kayong may ginagawa. I can't help but rant in front of anything. Mom's always out. Tapos ikaw naman, pagkatapos maghatid ng pagkain sa kwarto, aalis agad." She pouted at her nanny. "Like, why is everyone always busy? I want to be busy too, Nanny. But you're never sending me to school."

Nanny stopped walking. "You do know why, young lady." The woman faced her.

Lady Lara pouted again. "I don't, Nanny."

Nanny sighed and smiled a little. "Your mom's a duchess. You don't need school," she said, in a matter-of-fact tone, and the young lady frowned.

"That's crazy!" she almost shouted.

Agad na napaharap sa kaniya ang ginang. "Lady Lara, that's not modest of you," she strictly declared.

Napatigil ang dalagita saka yumuko. "I'm sor-pardon me."

"Do you feel deprived, young lady?"

Dahan-dahan siyang napalingon sa panibagong boses na dumating. She was pretty embarrassed-it was her mom looking straight at her. The usual calm presence of the duchess never failed to comfort her, but now that she knew her mom heard everything she said earlier, she felt nervous.

"Good day, Your Grace." Her nanny advanced her steps to bow at the duchess, who just nodded and got back to looking at her daughter.

Her Grace sighed before walking toward Lara. She's a tall woman in her fifties, still without gray hair, and still looking gorgeous as always. She gave Lara a soft expression. "Bumalik ako sa pag-aakalang may nakalimutan ako. But it turns out I wasn't wrong at all." Lara just looked up at her and stayed quiet. "I forgot to tell my daughter she's going to have her debutante ball this week. So don't feel deprived, my darling. You're going to meet your peers and welcome them here in the manor." She genuinely smiled and patted her daughter on the head. "And yes, I also forgot my fan."

"Let me get it for you, Your Grace," the nanny volunteered.

"No, Helia. I'm still trying to remember where I put it." The duchess then proceeded to go upstairs.

When the duchess was away enough to not overhear them, Lara's nanny started. "Ah," she let out an exasperated sigh. "Mas titiyakin niya pang mabitbit ang pamaypay kesa ang magsama ng guwardiya sa biyahe," natatawa nitong komento.

"Nanny, what does it feel like to have a best friend?" Lady Lara asked out of nowhere.

Nanny smiled. "At bakit mo naman naitanong, Lady Lara?" baling sa kaniya ng ginang.

"You and mom have been with each other for years. I wonder how it feels to have a bond like yours. I know you don't call her by her title when it's just the two of you." To this end, they fell silent for a while. The woman tried to figure out how Lara came to know that. "Nanny, I don't know if I'd be good at welcoming guests. I don't even have a friend of the same age. Will the ball my mom talked about suit me?"

"Hindi pa nga iyon nangyayari ay marami ka nang inaalala," her nanny replied. "You said you want to learn about sewing, come watch me so we could brush those saddening things off your mind."

"I'd be grateful, nanny." Lara smiled instantly, and they walked to the woman's bedroom.

Lady Lara's heart was too young to know things without asking. But she's quick to learn, and the adults at home knew it. Homeschooling counts as learning. Duchess Liria would always tell.

MARUNONG DIN ba si mom nito, nanny?"

Habang nagtatahi ay nag-angat ng tingin ang ginang sa alaga. She was used to it. Bawat minuto na lamang na magkasama sila ay may naitatanong ito sa kaniya. "Hindi," simpleng sagot niya. "Hindi rin naaayon ang gawaing ito sa antas niya."

"Ang lalim niyo naman po," Lara commented. Pinanuod ulit nito ang ginagawa ng ginang. At
mayamaya pa'y may tanong na naman siya. "Why is there always a social expectation, nanny?"

"What do you mean?" Nanny asked for the sake of the conversation, but she was too focused on what she was doing. Makapal ang telang gagawin niyang kurtina kaya't matagal-tagal bago ito matapos.

"Bakit parang laging nakabatay sa antas ng buhay ng tao ang mga bagay na dapat niyang gawin? Paano kung iba pala talaga ang gusto niya, taliwas sa kung ano ang dinidikta sa kaniya?"

Nanny sighed, still not looking at Lara. "Lady Lara, kung balak mong intindihin ang buhay, magbasa ka ng maraming libro."

Lara rolled her eyes. "Ayoko na, nanny. Palagi na lang kuwento ng iba ang nalalaman ko. Gusto ko ring . . . gusto ko ring simulan na ang sarili kong kwento. You get it, nanny?" Lumipat ito ng upuan patabi sa nanny niya at ginamit pa ang kamay para magpaliwanag. "I'd also like to socialize and experience real life for me. Masama ba talagang lumabas mula sa mansiyon? 'Yan ang hindi ko naiintindihan e."

Nanny paused from sewing. "Heto na naman tayo, Lady Lara."

"But nanny, you could have cared to explain. I'm always willing to understand and obey. You see, I have been doing it until now."

Nanny expressed a worrying emotion on her face when she looked at the girl. "Harm's always present outside, Lady Lara. You are the only heir to the dukedom. We are only trying to protect you as much as we can."

Lady Lara would always choose to understand this point. Alam niya na kung tatanungin niya ang amang duke patungkol rito, ganon rin sa duchess at nanny niya ang isasagot. But she's also smart enough to see that their answers are vague. She has always wanted to know more in every situation. And one more thing she badly and weirdly wants to experience is feeling tears streaming off her cheeks-yes, to find the urge to cry.

One of its reasons is that, sa lahat ng aklat na natapos niyang basahin, walang bida na hindi umiiyak. Even villains do. She would always wonder why she hadn't experienced crying. She's not supposed to remember what she felt when she cried as an infant. She would infer this when she'd tell herself maybe she's not human.

But again, maybe it isbecause of her inexperience in interacting with people that she doesn't feel enough emotions to make her cry. And she hasn't experienced even the slightest physical pain. That is how wide her parents' protection of her could get. And she doesn't love it.

The dukedom is inherited by her mother, Duchess Liria, who married her father's scholar, who was a simple man, and who is now named Duke Fuerto Ryo after his wife's title.

Sa mga hindi nakakakilala, the noble couple may look intimidating, but they are the ones closest to the emperor and empress' hearts because they share the same values of giving to the poor and holding dear the social equality everyone deserves. Lady Lara admires her parents for this, but she's hoping they can have her study outside and meet friends of different statuses too.

She admires the empress as well. In fact, gusto niyang maging katulad nito. Empress Celesta is a graceful, young-looking ruler of the empery. Hindi pa nga niya ito nakikita at nakakausap sa personal, ginagawa na niya itong modelo sa buhay. Pa'no ba naman kasi, bukod sa ito na ang masasabi niyang pinakamagandang babae sa emperyo, nagbabasa rin siya ng mga aklat na isinulat ng Empress Celesta. Because of those books, she slowly understands the systems of the empire, even without proper lectures.

Kabilang na rito ang pag-aasawa ng tagapagmana ng trono sa babaeng kanyang mapipili mula sa isang paligsahan; the crown princess competition. Lady Lara, however, doesn't have hopes of joining it. She knows there are qualifications, and of course, her parents won't let her. Besides, she doesn't even know what the prince looks like or if there are two or more of them. Siguro ay sing kisig rin ng emperor. 'Yan ang naiisip niya. Hindi kasi inililimbag ang anumang larawan ng prinsipe at prinsesa. If Lady Lara is well protected, lalong lalo na sila.

After her constant asking of random questions to her nanny, she got tired of watching her sew and decided to get back into her bed chamber. Her mind was still lost in the thought of that ball the duchess mentioned. She barely remembered what it feels like to talk to strangers.

The last time she experienced such a thing was when she was seven. Napilit niya ang duke para dalhin sya sa isang pamilihan. Doon niya nakilala ang batang estrangherong nagbigay sa kaniya ng isang munika. But in exchange for all the fun she had outside back then, she had to witness her parents quarreling after they got home. The duchess had been angry over the fact that Duke Ryo had brought their daughter outside the manor.

"Debutante ball . . ." Lady Lara looked at her reflection and saw her yellowish face, brown almond eyes, pink lips, and small but pointed nose. She appeared pretty but sad in the mirror.
"Ano naman kayang itsura ko pag dumating na ang araw na 'yon?" kausap niya sa sarili. Mas lumapit pa siya sa salamin. She breathed in front of it. It fogged up the glass. "Kasing labo nito ang tsansang magkakaroon ako ng kaibigan."

Naglakad siya paatras at pasalampak na inihiga ang sarili sa kama. "I don't even want to be friends with myself," aniya habang nakatingala sa malawak at maganda niyang kisame. Naalala niya ang sinabi ng nanny.

"Hindi rin naaayon ang gawaing ito sa antas niya."

She gulped. E ako? Ano kayang antas ang meron ako sa paningin nila? Isip-isip niya. She's the duchess' daughter. Oh dear, that's the only pride I have. I don't even know how to play instruments, even though both of my parents are very good at them.

Lady Lara's only window to the outside world was the set of books inside her room. There's no way Duke Ryo would hire a teacher specialist for her when even the qualifications for their maidservants were big deals. The duchess used to assist her learning, but now that she's too busy to do so, Lara has only herself to explore.

LADY LARA quickly closed the book she was reading when she heard three knocks from outside her door. She was certain it was her dad with his calculated knocks, and so she immediately checked herself in the mirror before running to open the heavy door. Malawak na ngiti ang ibinungad niya sa ama ngunit naglaho rin agad ito nang makita niya ang dalawang lalaki sa likuran ng duke, pinagtutulungang bitbitin ang malaking parehabang kahon.

"Good morning, darling. This is from a friend. Where's your nanny?" agad-agad na tanong ng duke sa kaniya.

"N-Nasa baba po, ano po ba 'yan-"

"Why is she not around you?" Kumunot agad ang noo ng duke. "Better put that down first and open the door wide," baling nito sa mga lalake. Napatulala si Lady Lara sa kahong iyon at napaangat lamang siya ng tingin nang marinig ang buntong hininga ng duke. "Don't be too shocked, young lady. What's inside is a present for you. I bet you don't remember Duke Cassano, but he does remember you."

"P-Po?"

Inakbayan siya ng duke. "He's your only godfather. I invited him to your ball."

Napilitan siyang ngumiti rito. "Matagal niyo na po palang napagplanuhan ang ball na 'yon?" aniya habang nakatingala sa natutuwang mukha ng duke. "Kani-kanina lang po kasi nabanggit ni Mom."

Duke Ryo grinned. The middle-aged man looked almost as attractive as in his younger years. Only his hair was now turning gray and was pushed backward, showing his agitated forehead lines. "It was supposed to be a surprise, but we don't want you to be shocked with strangers crowding the manor," sagot nito sa anak. "Anyway, this ball will not only serve as your birthday celebration, anak. It will also be your debut in high society. You will be introduced to the nobility, and now's the start of the preparation."

Lady Lara nodded understandingly but the duke noticed something, for which he asked, "What's with the long face, young lady? Hm?"

"Nothing, Your Grace." Yumuko si Lady Lara at pinaglalaruan ng paa niya ang sahig.

Binitawan siya ng duke at hinarap. Bumuntong hininga ulit ito. "You don't need to call me that, we're at home."

"Nanny said I have to be modest and polite at all times," she said it in a monotone, still not meeting her father's eyes. Matapos ang ilang tahimik na segundo ay nag-angat siya ng tingin para lamang makita ang tipid na pagngiti ng duke.

"Is she training you now to be a woman?"

Lara nodded. "I guess training me to be alone, too. You see, wala siya dito."

Her father chuckled. "I get it. You're not in a good mood, today." He reached for the girl's chin and played with it. "Look, darling. You have to lighten up lest your ball won't be joyful."

Tipid na ngumiti si Lara rito at saka nilingon ang dalawang lalake na kakalabas lang mula sa kwarto niya pagkatapos malagay ang anumang regalo na iyon sa loob.

"Oh, nandito na pala ang nanny mo," ani duke na nakapagpalingon ulit sa kaniya. Pagkatapos bumati ng ginang sa duke ay tinabihan nito ang alaga. "I'll better leave now to start the day. Helia," the duke called.

"Yes, Your Grace."

"Duke Cassano," Duke Ryo started, by which the woman's attention was caught, "has sent a gift for Lady Lara. It's inside."

Nang makaalis na ang duke at mga kasama nito ay agad na kumapit si Lara sa braso ng nanny niya at sumandal sa balikat nito. "Pumasok na tayo, Lady Lara," ani ginang.

Lara looked up at her with forehead creased. "Kinakabahan ba kayo, nanny? Ba't kayo nanlalamig?"

"It's nothing, Lady Lara," she assured her. "Pumasok na nga tayo sa loob nang makita iyong sinabi ng duke."

Lara sighed before she obliged. Nang makapasok sila ay dumeretso agad ang nanny niya sa harap ng salamin kung saan nakalagay ang malaking kahon. Lara stayed a distance behind her, not as excited as she should be.

"Dad mentioned it's from my . . . only godfather. I've never met him. Who is he, Nanny?" Nang hindi sumagot ang ginang ay mas lumapit pa si Lara. "Nanny?" She tapped her shoulder.

"Ah, he's a family friend." Tipid itong ngumiti sa kaniya.

"Well, obviously," Lara said. "But should all my family friends give me gifts?"

"Why, dear?" Nanny faced her and smiled. "Do you expect more?" she kind of teased her.

Lara laughed. "Nah, I don't even know them. Pero buksan nga natin, Nanny. Let's see what's inside."

Nanny kneeled to touch the wooden trinket box on the floor and started to open it. "Come, young lady."

"What is it?"

"Marunong ka ba nito, Lady Lara?"

Lara stopped advancing her steps when she saw the gift. She grinned. She expected some luxurious gift from a mysterious godfather, but what she saw couldn't seem to satisfy her eyes. But no. Why be ungrateful? She told herself. So she decided to smile and leaned closer to the trinket box. "I don't . . . play mind games, Nanny. But I hope this will help me learn." She took the chess board out of the trinket box and checked it.

Her nanny smiled knowingly. "He has always been unpredictable."

Lara was looking at the squares on the board when her nanny found out there was another thing left in the box. She touched the black cloth and slowly lifted the thing it was covering. Its length was almost exactly like the rectangular wooden trinket box, which made sense. Lara hadn't figured out it's not the box's bottom but a painting wrapped in a piece of black linen.

"Lady Lara, take a look." Nanny's eyes widened while making the painting stand up.

"Yeah, nanny. It's a chess board."

"No, not that. Tingnan mo ito."

Lara sighed before looking at her. "What is . . ." Before she could finish her sentence, her nanny showed her what she was holding. Lady Lara didn't seem to get why the woman's eyes seemed to be too amazed. "It's an art, isn't it?" she said, unsurprised.

"Yes," her nanny declared. "A beautiful art," she added with so much appreciation in her tone.

Lady Lara could almost scoff at it. What she saw was just a canvas with irregular lines and fading colors on it. Its color looked like some drinks spilled on a fabric. Yet it's heavily framed as though it was a portrait of His Majesty, the Emperor.

"A chessboard and . . . an art." Lady Lara picked up the chessboard and looked at her nanny's puzzled face. "Cool. This godfather of mine might have thought I'm still a kid." She even smiled. "Nanny, I'm not disappointed if you think so. I'm grateful for these. But he's funny, huh?" She put the chessboard beside its trinket box and got back to her nanny.

"Lara, he has sent nice gifts," pailing-iling na sabi ng ginang. Hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit tila hindi masaya ang alaga.

"Yes, Nanny." Lara faced her and smiled. "Let me take this one." She took the painting from her nanny's hand and carried it to its trinket box. Ngunit napatigil siya nang may makita. The box wasn't yet empty, but a white envelope inside caught her attention. She decided to put down the painting first. Pagkatapos ay kinuha niya ang papel. "This must be a letter. Maybe it's the real gift," she jested while tearing open the closed envelope to see what was inside.

She squinted her eyes while she unfolded the paper she's holding. "Young Ryo," she started reading. "I am more than glad to welcome you to high society. I guess I have convinced your father to have you experience real life. Make the most out of it, young lady. And I would be very grateful to have you in the Cassano House in the future . . ." Lara slowed her pace as she carefully read the last clause, ". . . as my precious daughter-in-law."

***

A/N: Hi! Thank you for reading and finishing this episode. Pa-chadaX gyud kay 'episode', haha. Someone told me na medyo ang rami raw infos premiere pa lang naman, well, little did they know, kaunti pa lang ito haha. Keep in track kasi mismo ako nae-excite sa sarili kong gawa, apaka mahangin pero oo.

Kung nagustuhan niyo, kung lang naman, sana ay magawa niyo pong magcomment o kayay mag-vote. And . . . scroll down kung gusto mo pang basahin (lol inuutos pa ba yon?) basta, thank you ulit. Muah.